IgM appears first in response to antigens followed by IgG.
IgM antibodies appear early in the course of an infection and usually reappear, to a less extent, after further exposure. IgM antibodies cannot pass through human placenta. These two biological properties of IgM make it useful in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Demonstrating IgM antibodies in a patient's serum indicates recent infection, or in a neonate's serum indicates intrauterine infection (e.g. congenital rubella).
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